S.B. No. 1465

AN ACT

relating to creating limited purpose disaster declaration authority for the governor and a search and rescue task force in each disaster field response region.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 418.025 to read as follows:

Sec. 418.025. LIMITED PURPOSE DECLARATION. (a) If the governor determines that a disaster can be adequately addressed without invoking all the powers and duties provided by this subchapter, the governor may, by proclamation or executive order, issue a limited purpose disaster declaration invoking only the authority provided by Sections 418.016(a) and (e).

(b) A declaration made under this section is subject to Section 418.014.

SECTION 2. Section 418.043, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 418.043. OTHER POWERS AND DUTIES. The division shall:

(1) determine requirements of the state and its political subdivisions for food, clothing, and other necessities in event of a disaster;

(2) procure and position supplies, medicines, materials, and equipment;

(3) adopt standards and requirements for local and interjurisdictional emergency management plans;

(4) periodically review local and interjurisdictional emergency management plans;

(5) coordinate deployment of mobile support units;

(6) establish and operate training programs and programs of public information or assist political subdivisions and emergency management agencies to establish and operate the programs;

(7) make surveys of public and private industries, resources, and facilities in the state that are necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

(8) plan and make arrangements for the availability and use of any private facilities, services, and property and provide for payment for use under terms and conditions agreed on if the facilities are used and payment is necessary;

(9) establish a register of persons with types of training and skills important in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery;

(10) establish a register of mobile and construction equipment and temporary housing available for use in a disaster;

(11) assist political subdivisions in developing plans for the humane evacuation, transport, and temporary sheltering of service animals and household pets in a disaster;

(12) prepare, for issuance by the governor, executive orders and regulations necessary or appropriate in coping with disasters;

(13) cooperate with the federal government and any public or private agency or entity in achieving any purpose of this chapter and in implementing programs for disaster mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery;

(14) develop a plan to raise public awareness and expand the capability of the information and referral network under Section 531.0312;

(15) improve the integration of volunteer groups, including faith-based organizations, into emergency management plans;

(16) cooperate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to create uniform guidelines for acceptable home repairs following disasters and promote public awareness of the guidelines;

(17) cooperate with state agencies to:

(A) encourage the public to participate in volunteer emergency response teams and organizations that respond to disasters; and

(B) provide information on those programs in state disaster preparedness and educational materials and on Internet websites;

(18) establish a liability awareness program for volunteers, including medical professionals;

(19) define "individuals with special needs" in the context of a disaster;

(20) establish and operate, subject to the availability of funds, a search and rescue task force in each field response region established by the division to assist in search, rescue, and recovery efforts before, during, and after a natural or man-made disaster; and

(21) [(20)] do other things necessary, incidental, or appropriate for the implementation of this chapter.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1465 passed the Senate on April 13, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; May 25, 2015, Senate refused to concur in House amendment and requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 27, 2015, House granted request of the Senate; May 30, 2015, Senate adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1465 passed the House, with amendment, on May 21, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 1, two present not voting; May 27, 2015, House granted request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee; May 31, 2015, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 2, two present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor